Category Archives for General.
American awards lifetime (lowest-tier) Gold status at 1 million miles and lifetime Platinum status at 2 million miles. There is no option to earn higher lifetime elite status the way that there is on Delta and on United.
Two changes in 2017 combined to significantly devalue lifetime Platinum 2 million miler status (and those with millions beyond that).
The Andaz Costa Rica (Andaz Papagayo Resort) near Liberia, Costa Rica is spectacular.
It’s a great value, even more so for top tier Hyatt elites.
IdeaWorks is out with its 2017 award availability study. I’ve savaged the study in the past. However I have to give the author credit, Jay Sorensen engaged in comments and took some of the criticisms seriously. This year’s study is better.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Book May 16 or May 17 on the Caribbean Airlines website for travel in June or September across their entire route network and earn 10 times the miles in the Caribbean Miles program.
Ritz-Carlton and Hilton promotions are most generous, and Hyatt promotion least generous (how IHG shakes out depends on what you’re targeted for). All require registration.
It’s always worth registering — goodness knows I find that my hotel plans aren’t perfectly predictable, I wind up staying places I wouldn’t have expected, and I don’t remember to go back and register later for bonuses I might earn. It’s best to take the time all at once to do it.
In January American introduced Platinum Pro, a 75,000 mile status tier, and formalized benefits for ConciergeKey members above Executive Platinum.
American also started requiring minimum spend for elite status earned this year.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
The UK’s Sun runs a scare story on germs on planes. Now, I’m absolutely worried about germs on planes. But much of what’s presented in the piece is flat wrong.
Is it clearly unacceptable for a coach passenger to use the lavatory in a forward cabin? “Use the lavatory in your ticketed class of service, first class bathrooms are for first class passengers.”
Or is it clearly fine? “You paid for a first class seat not a bathroom, and basic human needs should be met in the most efficient way possible.”
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
